KOLLAM: The deputy director of education here has sought an explanation from Trinity Lyceum on celebrations after reinstating teachers accused of driving 10th grader Gauri Neha to death. The school management had cancelled their suspension while the police is set to submit a chargesheet by Feb 14. They also cut a cake in the presence of the principal welcoming them back. “The management has every right to do so as they are the appointing authority. We intervened as it's an injustice (to the victim at this stage),” DDE K.S. Sreekala told DC.

Her office has reported it to higher authorities. Meanwhile, the principal, S. John, said there was no celebration during the “working hours”, and there was no complaint from Gauri Neha’s family. “Based on the demand by the colleagues to give those teachers mental strength, I went to meet them during the lunch break. The rest took place unexpectedly as they insisted,” he said in his explanation letter. Teachers Sindhu Paul and Crescence Navis were sent on forced leave after their return turned controversial and the city police commissioner Dr A. Srinivas held a meeting with the school management, based on a petition by Gauri’s father R. Prasannakumar.

The father had earlier alleged that the police investigation was not in the right direction and the teachers were taken back to influence witnesses. He also demanded a CBI probe. The police had booked them for abetment of suicide under IPC and for torturing the girl under Juvenile Justice Act.